A significant number of scholars agree that a "fascist regime" is foremost an authoritarian form of government, although not all authoritarian regimes are fascist. Authoritarianism is thus a defining characteristic, but most scholars will say that more distinguishing traits are needed to make an authoritarian regime fascist.... ...In his 1995 essay "Ur-Fascism", cultural theorist Umberto Eco lists fourteen general properties of fascist ideology.[19] He argues that it is not possible to organise these into a coherent system, but that "it is enough that one of them be present to allow fascism to coagulate around it". He uses the term "Ur-fascism" as a generic description of different historical forms of fascism. The fourteen properties are as follows: 1.) "The Cult of Tradition" , characterized by cultural syncretism, even at the risk of internal contradiction. When all truth has already been revealed by Tradition, no new learning can occur, only further interpretation and refinement. (e.g. Conservative doctrine of Constitutional Originalism) 2.) "The Rejection of modernism" , which views the rationalistic development of Western culture since the Enlightenment as a descent into depravity. Eco distinguishes this from a rejection of superficial technological advancement, as many fascist regimes cite their industrial potency as proof of the vitality of their system. (e.g. GOP efforts to maintain the death penalty and anti-pornography laws and oppose legal abortions) 3.) "The Cult of Action for Action's Sake" , which dictates that action is of value in itself, and should be taken without intellectual reflection. This, says Eco, is connected with anti-intellectualism and irrationalism, and often manifests in attacks on modern culture and science. (e.g. Trumps advocacy of quack treatments for Covid-19) 4.) "Disagreement Is Treason" – Fascism devalues intellectual discourse and critical reasoning as barriers to action, as well as out of fear that such analysis will expose the contradictions embodied in a syncretistic faith. (e.g. Trump's attack on the press and elected officials who disagree with him as "enemies of the people") 5.) "Fear of Difference" , which fascism seeks to exploit and exacerbate, often in the form of racism or an appeal against foreigners and immigrants. (e.g. Muslim ban, Immigrant deportations and separating children from their parents) 6.) "Appeal to a Frustrated Middle Class" , fearing economic pressure from the demands and aspirations of lower social groups. (e.g. Voter suppression laws) 7.) "Obsession with a Plot" and the hyping-up of an enemy threat. This often combines an appeal to xenophobia with a fear of disloyalty and sabotage from marginalized groups living within the society (such as the German elite's 'fear' of the 1930s Jewish populace's businesses and well-doings; see also anti-Semitism). Eco also cites Pat Robertson's book The New World Order as a prominent example of a plot obsession. (e.g. Stop the Steal, immigrant caravan, every democratic program is a plot to make the country into a scocialist state, Qanon) 8.) Fascist societies rhetorically cast their enemies as "at the same time too strong and too weak." On the one hand, fascists play up the power of certain disfavored elites to encourage in their followers a sense of grievance and humiliation. On the other hand, fascist leaders point to the decadence of those elites as proof of their ultimate feebleness in the face of an overwhelming popular will. (e.g. Liberal elites) 9.) "Pacifism is Trafficking with the Enemy" because "Life is Permanent Warfare" – there must always be an enemy to fight. Both fascist Germany under Hitler and Italy under Mussolini worked first to organize and clean up their respective countries and then build the war machines that they later intended to and did use, despite Germany being under restrictions of the Versailles treaty to not build a military force. This principle leads to a fundamental contradiction within fascism: the incompatibility of ultimate triumph with perpetual war. (e.g. Republicans have an enemy in every election, gays, liberals, socialists, communists, immigrants etc.) 10.) "Contempt for the Weak" , which is uncomfortably married to a chauvinistic popular elitism, in which every member of society is superior to outsiders by virtue of belonging to the in-group. Eco sees in these attitudes the root of a deep tension in the fundamentally hierarchical structure of fascist polities, as they encourage leaders to despise their underlings, up to the ultimate Leader who holds the whole country in contempt for having allowed him to overtake it by force. (e.g. Trump only idolizes dictators and betrays everyone who supports him ) 11.) "Everybody is Educated to Become a Hero" , which leads to the embrace of a cult of death. As Eco observes, "[t]he Ur-Fascist hero is impatient to die. In his impatience, he more frequently sends other people to death." (e.g. Trump repeatedly incited his supporters to violence with no regard to their safety - one died on Jan 6 others are facing long prison terms) 12.) "Machismo" , which sublimates the difficult work of permanent war and heroism into the sexual sphere. Fascists thus hold "both disdain for women and intolerance and condemnation of nonstandard sexual habits, from chastity to homosexuality." (e.g. Banning Transgenders from the military, opposition to abortion rights) 13.) "Selective Populism" – The People, conceived monolithically, have a Common Will, distinct from and superior to the viewpoint of any individual. As no mass of people can ever be truly unanimous, the Leader holds himself out as the interpreter of the popular will (though truly he dictates it). Fascists use this concept to delegitimize democratic institutions they accuse of "no longer represent[ing] the Voice of the People." (e.g. Delegitimizing the 2020 election and using Russian help to get elected in 2016, corrupting all government institutions for four years) 14.) "Newspeak" – Fascism employs and promotes an impoverished vocabulary in order to limit critical reasoning. (e.g. Trump has been described as using third grade vocabulary in all his speeches)